Hackney carriage or private hire quick guide

This guide is intended to supplement the council's taxi licensing policy which can be found on our Taxi licensing page.

The Borough Council is responsible for licensing all hire vehicles which operate within the district, which are provided with a driver and operate with less than nine passenger seats.

There are two types of vehicle:

• public hire vehicles (hackney carriages)
• vehicles which are only available by prior booking arrangement (private hire vehicles)

Although the description 'taxi' should only be applied to a hackney carriage any hire vehicle is usually known as a 'taxi' by the public.

Private Hire vehicles may only undertake journeys in response to advance bookings. The Council is also responsible for granting private hire Operators' licences for the premises at which these bookings are made.

Once a vehicle has been licensed as a taxi or private hire it can only be driven by a licensed driver. The Borough Council is responsible for the licensing of the drivers of both classes of vehicle.

As provided for in Section 75(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 the Licensing requirements do not apply:

• where a vehicle is used for bringing passengers into the District where the contract for hire was made outside the District, providing the vehicle is not made available for hire within the District
• to a vehicle used in connection with funerals or wholly or mainly by a person who is a funeral director, for the purpose of funerals
• when the vehicle is being used in connection with a wedding ceremony

Applicants must:

• be a fit and proper person to hold a licence,
• have the right to work in the UK
• be over the age of 21
• hold a DVLA Driver's Licence which has been valid for the past twelve (12) months
• undertake a medical to Group 2 Standard showing that the applicant is physically fit to drive a taxi or private hire vehicle
• pass a local knowledge test of the Borough

Convictions

The public are entitled to have the utmost confidence in drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles: therefore, the Council must ensure that only fit and proper persons obtain a drivers' licence.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has adopted a policy on convictions in relation to taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and this can be found on our website. It is recommended that persons with convictions read the policy before applying for a licence. They may also wish to speak to the Licensing Team on 01493 846201 for advice.

Applicants should note that spent relevant convictions can be taken into consideration and if the application is refused, no money can be refunded.

To apply applicants must:

1. Have a Right to Licence Immigration check. You can email the documents to [email protected] and bring the original document with you to the knowledge test. A list of accepted documents are on page 11-12 of this booklet. We will verify that you have the right to work as a professional driver in the UK This may involve checks with the Home Office in some circumstances.
2. Take a local Knowledge Test: You will need to make arrangements with a Licensing Officer to take a knowledge test. Tests are normally held twice weekly at the Town Hall.

The test comprises of a four part verbal paper and will last for approx. 30 mins. Part 1 contains questions on the Council's Hackney Carriage/Private Hire Driver and vehicle licence conditions. Part 2 covers Basic Numeracy. Part 3 covers Popular Destinations and Part 4 covers Routes. Guidance can be found on our website.

Cost of knowledge test: £30

An 80% pass rate is required and, should an applicant fail the test, each subsequent re-test will cost a further £30.

3. Provide an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check: This can be completed with the Licensing Team after a successful knowledge test, documents which need to be provided in order to complete this are listed on this page.

Cost of DBS check: £57.66

For applicants whose previous residence is outside the UK, it will be necessary to obtain a Certificate of Good conduct from their embassy or home country. The Certificate of Good Conduct must be in English and provided at the applicant's own expense. This is in addition to the Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

DBS Update Service - all drivers will be requested to sign up for the DBS Update Service. Six monthly checks with the DBS will be carried out on each driver. If a driver is not registered with the update service, they will be required to produce and pay for a full DBS enhanced disclosure every 6 months.

4. Provide a safeguarding training certificate: Acceptable training courses for taxi drivers can be found online. Please check that the course is suitable with the Licensing Team before completing.

Approximate Cost of Safeguarding Training: £30

5. Provide a medical certificate to Group 2 standard: this must be carried out by a registered Medical Practitioner. A form will be given upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced DBS check. The completed medical certificate shall be issued within fourteen (14) days prior to the application being made.

Cost of medical: determined by Doctor

Subsequent medicals will be required at age 45, then every five years after the age of 45 and then annually from the age of 65 years. A driver under the age of 65 with a controlled medical condition may also be required to undergo a full medical annually.

6. Provide a valid DVLA Driver's Licence which has been valid for the past twelve (12) months, together with code details provided by the DVLA. This code can be obtained by registering online on GOV.UK.

Please note the code is only valid for 21 days, therefore should not be obtained until the applicant has completed and received all relevant documents.

If you do not have access to the internet, help will be available at reception in the Town Hall.

Please note: If you have 9 or more current penalty points and/or any previous convictions appear on your DVLA driving licence we may refer your application to the Licensing Committee to ascertain whether you are a 'fit and proper' person to hold a licence.

7. Provide one passport size photograph.
8. Complete an application form

Cost of licence: £240.00

Providing the conviction check is clear and the DVLA check is satisfactory, a licence will be issued within 2-3 days and shall be valid for a maximum term of three years (unless a shorter period is deemed appropriate by the Borough Council).

If any convictions have been disclosed, a meeting will be arranged with the applicant, Taxi Licensing Officer and the Licensing Enforcement Officer. The officers will decide whether the licence can be issued or whether to refer the application to the Licensing Committee with a recommendation to refuse the licence. If the application is refused, no money can be refunded.

National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals and Revocations (NR3)

Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) provides information to the National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals and Revocations (NR3), a mechanism for licensing authorities to share details of individuals who have had a hackney carriage or Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence revoked or an application for one refused.

Therefore:

• where a hackney carriage/PHV licence is revoked, or an application for one refused, GYBC will automatically record this decision on NR3
• all applications for a new licence or licence renewal will automatically be checked on NR3; if a search of NR3 indicates a match with an applicant, GYBC will seek further information about the entry on the register from the authority which recorded it

Applicants must:

1. Complete an application form.
2. Attend a face to face meeting for a right to work Immigration Test (if from country outside of EU/EEA).
3. Provide an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check all drivers are requested to sign up for the DBS Update Service. Six monthly checks with the DBS will be carried out on each driver. If a driver is not registered with the update service, they will be required to produce and pay for a full DBS enhanced disclosure every 6 months.
4. Provide a medical certificate to Group 2 Standard. This must be carried out at 45, every five years until 65 and then annually from 65.
5. Provide a valid DVLA Driver's Licence which has been valid for the past 12 months together with code details provided by the DVLA.
6. Provide a HMRC Tax Check code.
7. Provide a safeguarding training certificate issued within the last 6 months.
8. Provide one passport size photograph.

Enclosed Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

In addition to completing the form, proof of identity will be required by ideally providing 1 item from Group 1 and 2 items from Groups 2. Further clarification on what documents should be provided can be sought from the Licensing Team.

Group 1 - Primary Trusted Identity Credentials

• current valid passport
• Biometric Residence Permit (UK)
• birth certificate (UK & Channel Islands) issued at the time of birth
• current Driving Licence Photo card (UK) (Full) Isle of Man/Channel Islands
• adoption Certificate (UK and Channel Islands)

Group 2a - Trusted Government/State Issued Documents

• current UK driving licence (old style paper version)
• current driving licence photo card (all countries outside the EU)
• birth certificate (UK & Channel Islands) - issued after the time of birth
• marriage /civil partnership certificate (UK and Channel Islands)
• HM Forces ID Card (UK)
• Fire Arms Licence (UK and Channel Islands)

Group 2b - Financial/Social History Documents

• mortgage statement (UK or EEA) **
• bank/Building Society statement (UK or EEA) *
• bank/Building Society Account Opening Confirmation Letter (UK)
• credit card statement (UK or EEA) *
• financial statement ** - e.g. pension, endowment, ISA (UK)
• P45/P60 statement ** (UK & Channel Islands)
• council tax statement (UK & Channel Islands)**
• work permit/visa (UK) (UK Residence Permit) **
• utility bill (UK) * - not mobile telephone
• Benefit statement * - e.g. child allowance, pension
• a document from central/local government/government agency/local authority *
• EU National ID Card
• cards carrying the PASS accreditation logo (UK & Channel Islands)

* denotes document should be less than three months old
** denotes document should be issued within the past 12 months

The basics

Hackney Carriages may be used to ply for hire in the street and may be pre-booked. Private Hire vehicles must be pre-booked through a Licensed Private Hire Operator and may not be hailed in the street.

Suitability of vehicles for licensing

The Borough Council will not grant or renew a licence unless satisfied that the vehicle is suitable to be a licensed vehicle, is in a suitable mechanical condition, safe and comfortable. Vehicle licences last for 12 months.

To apply for a Hackney Carriage Licence you will need:

• a brand new purpose built vehicle fully tested to M1 category; such vehicle cannot be replaced unless it is replaced with at least an equivalent or newer purpose built model
• to complete an application form
• to obtain a back plate from the licensing team which will be affixed to the outside of the rear of the car, showing the vehicle details
• a certificate of compliance issued by an authorised testing station (these are listed on page 10); vehicles over 5 years need to be tested twice yearly
• produce a valid insurance certificate
• MOT
• V5 Vehicle Registration Certificate
• cost of £300

To apply for a Private Hire Licence you will need:

• a suitable vehicle that is less than 9 years on initial registration
• to complete an application form
• to obtain a back plate from the licensing team which will be affixed to the outside of the rear of the car, showing the vehicle details
• to obtain and display two crests issued by the Council showing the number of the Licence on both sides of the vehicle
• to obtain and display two 'pre-booked' stickers issued by the Council
• a certificate of compliance issued by an authorised testing station (these are listed on page 13). Vehicles over 5 years need to be tested twice yearly
• to obtain a back plate from the licensing team which will be affixed to the outside of the rear of the car, showing the vehicle details
• produce a valid insurance certificate
• MOT
• V5 Vehicle Registration Certificate
• Cost of £300
• an Operator's Licence - all persons who accept private hire bookings by telephone will also require an Operator's Licence - therefore, unless a person intends to operate through an operator that is already licensed, new private hire operators will require a Licence

The complete vehicle specifications for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles are listed in the Council's Taxi licensing policy. Further information can be provided from either the Licensing Team or any authorised testing station.

To apply for an operator's Licence you will need:

• to complete an application form
• fee of £425 1-10Vehicles
• fee of £534 11-20Vehicles
• fee of £773 20+Vehicles
• all five year licence

To transfer a vehicle licence you will need:

• a transfer form (authorisation from previous plate holder)
• to complete an application form
• the certificate of compliance issued by the authorised testing station
• MOT
• to provide a valid insurance certificate
• V5 vehicle registration certificate
• fee of £83

To change a vehicle on an existing plate you will need

• to complete an application form (24 hours notice required for back plate)
• a certificate of compliance issued by the authorised testing station
• MOT
• to provide a valid insurance certificate
• V5 vehicle registration certificate
• fee of £45

To renew a vehicle you will need

• to complete an application form
• a certificate of compliance issued by the authorised testing station
• MOT
• to provide a valid insurance certificate
• V5 vehicle registration certificate
• fee of £300

The penalty point system may be used for Infringement and breach of licensing conditions. These are listed overleaf. Penalty points received will be shown on a Hackney Carriage/Private Hire driver's licence, up to a maximum of 12 points. Should the maximum be reached, the driver will be referred to Licensing Committee.

British Passport holders and nationals from EU/EEA member states with no restrictions on right to work in the UK

One original document from the list below

1. A passport showing the holder, or a person names in the passport as the child of the holder, is a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies having the right of abode in the UK.
2. A passport or national ID card showing the holder, or a person named in the passport as the child of the holder, is a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
3. A Registration Certificate or Document Certifying Permanent Residence issued by the Home Office to a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.
4. A Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office to the family member of a national of a EEA country or Switzerland.
5. A current Biometric Immigration Document( Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder indicating that the person named is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
6. A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.
7. A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indication that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
8. A full birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK which includes the name(s) of at least one of the holder's parents or adoptive parents, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or previous employer.
9. A full birth or adoption certificate issued in the Channel islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
10. A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, together with an official document giving the permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

Non EU/EEA citizens or those with restrictions on the right to work in the UK

One original document from the list below

1. A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is allowed to stay in the UK and is currently allowed to do the type of work in question.
2. A current Biometric Immigration Document ( Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder which indicates that the named person can currently stay in the UK and is allowed to do the work in question.
3. A current Residence card( including an Accession Residence Card or a Derivative Residence Card) issued by the Home Office to a non- European Economic Area national who is a family member of a national of a EEA country or Switzerland or who has a derivative right of residence.
4. A current Immigration Status Document containing a photograph issued by the Home Office to the holder with a valid endorsement indicating that the named person may stay in the UK, and is allowed to do the type of work in question, together with an official document giving the person's permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.
5. A Certificate of Application issued by the Home Office under regulation 17(3) or 18A(2) of the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006, to a family member of a national of a EEA country or Switzerland stating that the holder is permitted to take employment which is less than 6 months old together with Verification from the Home Office Evidence and Enquiry Unit.
6. A Verification issued by the Home Office Evidence and Enquiry Unit to you, which indicates that the named person may stay in the UK because they have an in time application, appeal or administrative review and which is outstanding.